Bonsai Exhibit by Susquehanna Bonsai Club
2026-09-24 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-25 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-29 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-30 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-01 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) and 9 more dates
September 23 through October 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Marvel at a variety of bonsai specimens from the premiere bonsai club of the Susquehanna Valley.
Exhibit located in the Hoop House inside The Children’s Garden.
Included with admission, free for members.

Live Feedings at the Zoology Zone Interactive Cart
2026-09-25 12:00 - 12:30
Fridays: September 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 12 to 12:30 p.m.
Join us to watch the Gardens’ insectivores and herptiles receive a nutritious snack.
Included in admission, free for members.

Guided Garden Walk
2026-09-26 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-10 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-17 10:00 - 11:00
Join Dr. Ray Barbehenn, a biologist with an expertise in plant ecology, for an hour-long adventure through the gardens as you learn about plants and trees throughout the seasons. Bring your curiosity!
Included with admission, free for members.

Fall Homeschool Day: Avian Migration
2026-09-29 09:30 - 12:30
Tuesday, September 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For grades K-12
Learn about bird species that stay year-round at the Gardens, our temporary spring and summer residents, such as the eastern wood pewee, chimney swifts, barn swallows, tree swallows and purple martins, which pass through for overnight stays. Learn about migrating birds of prey with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Additionally, we’ll highlight our new partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the results of our first season of artificial nesting and cavity structures in the meadow.
$11 per student, $13 per adult; includes admission to Hershey Gardens and the Butterfly Atrium.
Special Guests:
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Stefan Karkuff, Avian Recovery Biologist, Pennsylvania Game Commission
Registration required starting August 1; closes on September 27

Hershey Gardens Member Reception
2026-09-30 16:30 - 18:00
Members, look for your invitation in the mail!

Bonsai Demonstration by Susquehanna Bonsai Club
2026-10-03 10:00 - 14:00
Join members of the Susquehanna Bonsai Club for multiple demonstrations on how to take care of bonsai specimens. Demonstrations to take place in Hoop House, inside The Children’s Garden.
In case of inclement weather, demonstration will be moved to the Conservatory.
Included with admission, free for members.

PA Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights Day
2026-10-09 10:00 - 13:00
Learn about the PA Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, which promotes healthy development and environmental equity. Enjoy activities in The Children’s Garden and take part in a planting activity.
Plus, kids come for free! Get one free junior admission for each paying adult ticket on October 9 only.
Included with admission, free for members.

Pumpkin Palooza
2026-10-17 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-18 09:00 - 17:00
October 17, 18, 24 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Check back later for more details!
Included with admission, free for members.

Pumpkin Palooza Test
2026-10-18 09:00 - 17:00
October 18, 19, 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kids, come in costume and trick or treat at four Hershey’s candy stations, enjoy over 200 painted pumpkins, a unique 14-foot “pumpkin tree” and the perfect photo backdrop of pumpkin mosaics! Plus, stop by to see if you can handle the Creepy Creatures Gallery! See (and hold!) Madagascar hissing cockroaches every day from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Plus, enjoy kids’ craft activities, food trucks and hundreds of mums on display, including a colorful 9-foot mum display. Included in admission, free for members.

Saturday, October 18
Food Trucks: Noel’s Café, Cheesesteak Shuttle, Marsicos, Madelyn’s Sweets and Savories, Jack and Joan’s Kettle Corn
Sunday, October 19
Food Trucks: Noel’s Café, Cheesesteak Shuttle, Marsicos, Madelyn’s Sweets and Savories, Jack and Joan’s Kettle Corn
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Wind ensemble
Saturday, October 25
Food Trucks: Noel’s Café, Cheesesteak Shuttle, Marsicos, Madelyn’s Sweets and Savories, Jack and Joan’s Kettle Corn, Shorty’s Funnel Cakes
Sunday, October 26
Food Trucks: Noel’s Café, Marsicos, Madelyn’s Sweets and Savories, Jack and Joan’s Kettle Corn, Shorty’s Funnel Cakes
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Chilin Quartet
Painted pumpkins courtesy of Milton Hershey School, Hershey High School, Lower Dauphin High School, Bishop McDevitt High School, York College of Pennsylvania Plant and Gardening Club, York College of Pennsylvania Student Senate.

Sponsors:

Eco-Fiction Book Group
2026-10-23 10:00 - 11:30
Join us to explore works of eco-fiction, nature and environment-oriented works, which often include a human element. It is not necessary to attend all sessions – join us when you can! New participants are always welcome. We encourage you to read each month’s selection prior to the meeting to fully participate in the discussion. Located in the Garden Cottage. All sessions are from 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Friday, January 23, 2026 – There are Rivers in the Sky, Elif Shafak (non-fiction – Mudlarking: Lost and Found on the River Thames, Lara Maiklem)Friday, April 24, 2026 – State of Wonder, Ann Patchett) (non-fiction – Finding the Mother Tree, Suzanne Simard)Friday, July 24, 2026 – Where the Rivers Merge, Mary Alice Monroe (non-fiction – Low Country: A Memoir, J. Nicole Jones)Friday, October 23, 2026 – Annihilation, Jeff VanderMeer (non-fiction – The Secret Life of Plants: A Fascinating Account of the Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Relations between Plants and Man, Peter Thompkins)
Book selections for each month can be found at your local public library or at any major retailer. Included in admission; free for members.

To register, please email Kaitlin Dannenberg at kadannenberg@hersheygardens.org
